2010 was a memorable year for me, as I went to Belgium for the 65th anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge in the Ardennes. The trip was organized by a group, American War Orphans Network (AWON). It turned out to be a memorable week of events. I traveled with Joe Lippi Jr., the son of my good friend whose grave we were to visit at Henri-Chapelle American Cemetery. Joining us in Liege were my sons, Peter, Eric and Steve. The trip began May 28, 2010, at the Provincial Palace in Liege with a wonderful reception. In French, I addressed Madame President of the Province of Liege. The group of 28 AWON members read the English translation. My French notes were seven pages in large print. After I read page 4, the next page was 6. Page 5 was missing! I had to continue from memory. Help came when I was handed a pre-printed French and English program. I finished the speech and all went well considering that I wore my World War II uniform in a warm room and I had not spoken French in more than twenty years. Next day was the Memorial Service at Henri-Chapelle. Seeing this place with 7,992 graves so precisely arranged in circular fashion and diagonally perfect alignment is most impressive. The many pictures we took will be a wonderful record of the event for the future. After the conclusion of the ceremonies, we participated in a police and Security-escorted trip with flashing lights from Henri Chapelle to the city of Aubel. There also was a Memorial Service in the Town Square. I was told this was better than all previous ceremonies. A parade through the town ended at a large hall for a party with all the town’s people and everyone had a great time. I got to drink a beer with Vice Admiral Richard K. Gallagher, chief of NATO, and American Ambassador Howard W. Gutman. We felt as if we were being treated like royalty. But this special day didn’t end there. Next Peter Heckmanns, webmaster of www.In-Honored-Glory.info, met us and we followed him to his home in Kerkrade, The Netherlands, where he had arranged a huge barbeque with some AWON members, Peter’s family and friends. I again was drafted as a translator just as I was during World War II. There was a need for conversation between the tour director and the bus driver, neither understanding the others language. I solved that problem. The last event of our visit to Belgium was a memorial celebration to the St. Paul school in Liege. It was planned by Mr. Michel Lorquet the teacher of the class 4B. This class had adopted the grave of Joseph T. Lippi at Henri-Chapelle American Cemetery. Our Party was driven by M. Lorquet to the school where the entire school’s students welcomed Joe Lippi Jr. and the four Mahler’s like royalties. There were a multitude of American and Belgian Flags waved by the children. I gave my speech in French. Both the American and the Belgian National hymns were played and the Belgian was sung by the children. There were many dignitaries and the Belgian Army was represented by a Colonel and a Major who was Mr. Lorquet’s brother. We were served lunch at the school. The tables were set by the children and we toasted with champagne, yes, at the school. To end the ceremonies the children were given a question and answer session. There were good questions that were answered by Joe Lippi and me. All was reported on Belgium Local and National Television. The rest of the week was filled with experiences too numerous to mention. But here are some highlights. We visited the Remember Museum on a farm near Bastogne. We also visited the War Museum in La Roche, not far from where my friend, Joe Lippi, Sr., was killed. Wherever we were in Belgium or Holland we Veterans of World War II, who have fought in the Ardennes, and those who paid the ultimate price, are not forgotten. Sixty- five years later people including school children are grateful to have been liberated a long time ago.
—Arthur Mahler, 84th Infantry Division, 334th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Battalion, HQ.
